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Dance at Denison explores the physical and intellectual connections of language, culture, and development through movement. We emphasize embodiment as a means of knowing and responding to each other and our environment.

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About

Dance at Denison

We believe in creating artists/scholars who are informed citizens and responsible agents of change in a world where the moving arts are essential. To that end our students learn to become independent thinkers, to be resourceful and are encouraged to develop their personal aesthetic and artistic focus. As scholars they are required to engage in original research and learn to utilize the full set of resources available to dance scholars. The integration of embodied practices with scholarly inquiry is integral to our mission. Exposing students to the wide breadth of dance in the world, cutting edge and experimental, and from diverse cultures and perspectives is embedded in our curriculum and ideology. Former students are artists, teachers, performers, healers and scholars who understand the importance of community and citizenship.

Mission

The Department of Dance is committed to the liberal arts study of "dance as an art form" and the belief that such a study necessitates an integration of the kinesthetic (body), the intellectual (mind), and the emotional/internal (spirit). We see this trinity (body/mind/spirit) as the core concern of the discourse, the discipline and the department as we explore physical and metaphysical material both artistically and theoretically, exposing students to the principles of dance through the critical inquiries of movement practices and dance studies. We address these body/mind/spirit experiences as foundations for artistic, intellectual, and personal freedom.

Practically, we strive to balance breadth with depth in all aspects of our curriculum. To this end, each course blends physical and intellectual exploration. Early on in a student’s career, we encourage the application of critical research and concert performance, emphasizing the use of technology and supporting collaboration through interdisciplinary work. Ultimately, our aim is to develop competence in a wide variety of approaches.